Thank you.

I meant to update with pictures and entries from Australia while I've been here, and I have so many pictures to share, especially my double trip to the bookstore. But whenever I've been online, I've been talking with Hubby, checking in on our family, and watching the pictures of Sandy's aftermath in New Jersey arrive.

Headline from Australian Newspaper: Aussies Shelter in Bars

This is a feeling I've never envied anyone for having, but now I know how it feels to see so many places that mean a lot to me destroyed, and to know I'm on the other side of the planet is doubly difficult. The people I meet in Australia, when they find out I'm from Jersey, are so concerned. The storm has been a headline here (along with my very favorite headline ever, “Australians Take Shelter In Bar”)and the concern is honest – as is the immediate assurance that Americans are so tough, we'll be ok.

Most of all, the people who've contacted me on Twitter, Facebook, and email just to ask if my family is ok (they are, thank you) and to ask if there's anything they can do, is tremendously touching. Thank you for that. I'm amazed at the beauty of what people do to help one another when everything is crushed in rubble, from finding information for me (thanks, Jen) to driving a generator five hours from Maryland so my family will have heat (thanks, Angie). There's a part of me inside that feels like a raisin (sorry, sultana), all twisted and compacted with worry and fear. But the feeling of awe and appreciation is even greater, that while I'm far away so many have helped me and my family. Thank you for that.

The cleanup of New Jersey is going to take a long time, but it's winter – which means that next summer, perhaps the beaches will be ready for romance reading. Let's meet on the beach with books and beverages, ok?

Coming soon (as soon as I switch hotels and unpack again), I have pictures of my shopping trip to Dymock's books, where the prices made me lightheaded, and a podcast interview with Kat from BookThingo, who sat with me for a terrific interview.

But for now, you have my gratitude. I hope you and yours are safe and dry. Every day I'm online, the world gets smaller and smaller as I meet more and more people, and you're all so wonderfully awesome. Thank you.

Categorized:

General Bitching...

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  1. I’m so glad your family is safe. I can’t imagine how it must be, staying on the other side of the world, worrying about your family and unable to do anything to stop the storm.

    I feel like it sounds trite to offer when so many others already have, but seriously, if you or your family (or anyone else) needs anything, I have power, and heat, and food, and I’m happy to send/drive it anywhere.

  2. SB Sarah says:

    Thank you thank you.

  3. Llingner says:

    I am also stranded, in Houston, as my family suffers with no electric. Terrible feeling. Supposed to have left Monday. Three flight changes later leaving Friday. Long Island is also a beach area. Southwest has been amazing.

  4. Sarah, I hope you’ll get to be home soon and that your family will continue to be okay!

    I donated to the Red Cross last night, the best thing I can do for you all from the Left Coast. Hang in there.

  5. Jen G. says:

    So glad your loved ones are safe! 

  6. Totally verklempt.  **HUGS**

  7. CarrieS says:

    So so glad you and your family are safe and wishing you safe travels home soon!!!

  8. Keziah Hill says:

    Great to hear your family is safe. Hope you have a good time at Genre Con (give Ms Campbell a hug from me). Was your lightheadedness due to horror at the prices we Aussies have to put up with?

  9. Diane O. says:

    I lived in Australia from 2008-2011 and I don’t think I bought a book there, the prices were so high.  I was never sure why, someone told me they have to buy the rights and print them in-country, which if true would drive the price up.  Was Genre Con going on during the time I was in Oz?  If so, I would have gone!  Glad you’re family is doing okay.

  10. Alexis says:

    So glad your family’s okay!

  11. snarkhunter says:

    I’m so glad your family safe, and I’ll keep you all in my thoughts and prayers.

  12. ms bookjunkie says:

    You and your family have been in my thoughts, so thanks for the update. Hugs!

  13. Karenmc says:

    Relieved to hear from you, and glad your family is safe. I’m looking forward to all your Oz tales 🙂

  14. SuperWendy says:

    Glad to hear your family is safe, and hope you make it home soon!  I can’t imagine dealing with something like that and not being home.  As a textbook worrywart, that just seems worse to me…..

  15. Liz says:

    I’m in the same situation; in Edinburgh as my family and friends in NJ and NY are without power and heat, at best, or evacuated for the forseeable future, which very luckily, is the worst.
    There is absolutely nothing I could do differently or additionally if I was there, but being away is still tough.

  16. Amanda Carlson says:

    Today and tomorrow [I think until 6 pm] Adorama, a camera shop, in NYC on 48th West and 18th St. has set up a free charging station outside their store for people without power.



  17. azteclady says:

    All I had were thoughts and prayers—still have them, as a matter of fact. May your family remain calm, safe, warm and dry, and may your worries and concern stay at a manageable level until you are reunited.

  18. Helen says:

    Sarah

    I am glad that your family is safe this must have been terrible for the people living in this area my thoughts are with you all

    Helen

  19. Tam says:

    It’s so hard being overseas when disasters are happening back at home: I remember my poor husband in NZ, desperately trying to call his missing family during 9/11.

    I’m glad to hear that your family got through Sandy all right, and I very much hope that when you get home, home hasn’t changed beyond recognition.

  20. Those of us in Florida are watching events up north with both empathy and sympathy. At least when hurricanes strike us it’s warm weather. It must be twice as awful dealing with the aftermath and cold temperatures as well.

    The most important thing is that your guys are OK. Everything else is just stuff, and stuff can be fixed, replaced or lived without.

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